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This article is part of Football FanCast's The Chalkboard series, which provides a tactical insight into teams, players, managers, potential signings and more...
Having lost twice at Molineux in quick succession and only managing a draw at home, it's fair to say Manchester United struggled against Wolves last season. Nuno Espirito Santo's men were ruthlessly efficient both home and away, and will therefore fancy their chances of claiming yet another upset on Monday night.
Despite trouncing top-four rivals Chelsea 4-0 at Old Trafford last weekend, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer may well be inclined to change things up. The Norwegian has largely stuck to a tried-and-trusted 4-2-3-1 or 4-3-3, but against Wolves, it could be prudent to switch things up.
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The Molineux side notoriously line-up with three-at-the-back, encouraging their wing-backs to create the width. A midfield trio of Ruben Neves, Joao Moutinho and Leander Dendoncker pull the strings, whilst the likes of Raul Jimenez and Diogo Jota are irrepressible up front. It all promises to be another challenging time in the West Midlands for the visitors. But if Solskjaer opts to match the home side style for style, then it could well play out in United's favour.
In matching Nuno's side's formation, the Red Devils could better cope with some of Wolves' key strengths. The team create their wide shape through Jonny Castro and Matt Doherty hugging the touch-lines as marauding wing-backs. As such, it allows their central midfielders to play closer together and dictate the tempo from deep. More so than in possession however, counter-attacking with pace and numbers is the side's strongest suit.
Whilst having Paul Pogba as part of a deeper-lying midfield two offers its advantages going forward, the Frenchman's averages of just 1.3 tackles and 0.5 interceptions per game in the Premier League last season show he is not the most defensively reliable.
Bringing in Axel Tuanzebe for Andreas Pereira and creating a back-three gives United much-needed protection on the occasions they get hit on the break, while Pogba having two midfielders alongside him instead of just one guarantees more stability when he romps forward.
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Indeed, imitating Wolves would also hand the opportunity to Marcus Rashford and Anthony Martial to start the game as out-and-out strikers. The duo were both on the score-sheet against Chelsea, and the Red Devils would be far more likely to cause problems to the opposition's three-man defence if they used a strike partnership, rather than sticking one of them on the wing.
Having either one lead the line on their own against Wolves' physically imposing centre-backs could see them struggle to make an impact.
So, whilst Solskjaer may be loathe to change a winning side, a tactical tweak might be the key to ending the Red Devils' Wolves hoodoo from last season.
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